Blasts from the past at collectables fair

THOSE with a sense of nostalgia or longing for items they owned in the past may find just what they’re looking for when the Bendigo October Collectables Fair takes place at the showgrounds.

Disney comics they had as a child, favourite Matchbox cars, rock music magazines from music’s heyday…all the things they wish they still had, they may just discover them anew.

The fair on 5 and 6 October will feature more than 70 stalls with a wide variety of items on sale and organiser Mark Blythe said the event is run by collectables enthusiasts for collectables enthusiasts.

The Bendigo fair is held twice a year. A total of 2200 people browsed items during this year’s first instalment in May.

Mr Blythe said apart from the comics, rock magazines and cars (Hot Wheels and diecast model cars will also be there), the range of collectables will include things such as 19th century military and government uniforms, beer cans from the 1960s and 1970s, general collectables and more.

It will be completely indoors at one of the showgrounds’ pavilions and will be open from 9am to 5pm on the Saturday and from 9am to 2pm on the Sunday.

“All Maldon Events fairs and swaps are $5 admission and kids are free. Where do you think the next generation of buyers will be coming from?” Mr Blythe said.

“We don’t hold our events in school gyms, mechanics halls or tiny houses.

“Our flagship event, the Bendigo Collectables Fair, is held at the showgrounds in a 6000-square-metre, purpose-built shed.”

Mr Blythe said the venue also allowed a degree of cross-pollination between the collectables fair and the weekly Bendigo Showgrounds Market, with each readily promoting and accommodating the other.